Sydney veterans Lance Franklin and Josh Kennedy celebrate the Swans finally getting on top of Carlton. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
WESTERN BULLDOGS 8.11 (59) lost to MELBOURNE 13.9 (87)
James Harmes kicked the opening goal inside 20 seconds and the Demons never looked back in the top-of-the-table showdown, piling on six first-quarter majors to take control of the contest early. The blockbuster clash had been in doubt until Friday morning, with Melbourne players and staff finally given the all-clear after a COVID-19 scare. Clayton Oliver continued his superb season for the Dees as Tom McDonald and Bayley Fritsch kicked three goals each, while Steven May and Jake Lever were important at the back as part of a strong team defensive structure that forced a raft of turnovers and strangled the Bulldogs’ high-possession game. The Dogs had few clear winners on the night, with coach Luke Beveridge conceding the final margin flattered his side.
COLLINGWOOD 6.15 (51) lost to GEELONG 8.13 (61)
Not even diehard Cats fans would have been overly excited by this dour contest, riddled by skill errors and played in front of empty stands at the MCG. Many of those watching at home could have been forgiven for switching off as the Magpies fumbled their way through a goalless first half for the first time since 2005. The contest was over by the main break, though the home side made the scoreboard look a little better with five goals in the final quarter. Brodie Grundy was taken to hospital with a neck-related injury but was ultimately cleared of major damage after suffering what the club later confirmed was a pinched nerve in a marking contest with Rhys Stanley. Geelong forwards Tom Hawkins (three) and Jeremy Cameron (two) both kicked multiple goals and skipper Joel Selwood put in an important performance after star teammates Cam Guthrie and Mark Blicavs were late withdrawals through injury.
BRISBANE 19.15 (129) defeated GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 10.5 (65)
Mitch Robinson hadn’t kicked a goal in the opening 10 rounds but bobbed up with a career-best four majors from his 30 disposals to play a big role in sinking the Giants. One was a bomb from outside 50m after the three-quarter time siren that brought the Gabba crowd to its feet. Charlie Cameron lit up the forward line and the red-hot Lions, resplendent in their Fitzroy-inspired Indigenous jumper, set the tone early with a six-goal blitz in the first term. GWS coach Leon Cameron later mused a short break and travel on the morning of the game may have contributed to the Giants’ slow start. Bobby Hill, Josh Kelly and Callan Ward each kicked two goals for the visitors but the damage had already been done.
ST KILDA 12.16 (88) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 10.8 (68)
In a low-standard contest, the Saints led by more than seven goals at the final change before taking their collective foot off the pedal in a fourth-quarter lapse that frustrated coach Brett Ratten. Discarded Kangaroos utility Mason Wood kicked three goals for the Saints against his old side. Jack Steele and Brad Crouch led the way in the midfield for St Kilda despite the best efforts of Ben Cunnington, while Jack Ziebell marshalled North’s defence and crept forward for two goals. Roos youngster Bailey Scott earned high praise from David Noble for his job as a defensive forward on Brad Hill, holding his experienced opponent to just three disposals in the first three quarters before the Saints star was moved up the ground.
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GOLD COAST 17.11 (113) defeated HAWTHORN 11.10 (76)
Izak Rankine’s career-high four-goal haul was a highlight as he kicked three in the opening term to provide the spark in a 28-0 start for the Suns in the rescheduled fixture at the SCG. Ben King also kicked four goals, keeping him in Coleman Medal contention, and Alex Sexton added three majors as Touk Miller, Brandon Ellis and Jack Lukosius racked up touches through the middle. Chad Wingard and Ben McEvoy both had a crack for the Hawks, who never seriously threatened a far more energetic Gold Coast outfit.
WEST COAST 11.5 (71) lost to ESSENDON 12.15 (87)
The Bombers trailed by almost five goals during the second quarter but dominated after the main break to surge over the top of their hosts in the wet. Jake Stringer kicked three second-half goals and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti stood up in big moments as the Dons gave long-suffering fans hope they are heading in the right direction under Ben Rutten. Injuries to Tim Kelly (knee) and Oscar Allen (concussion) hurt the Eagles and the sheer number of inside 50s (57-45) and scoring shots (27-16) were bound to take their toll eventually. Darcy Parish and Zach Merrett were stars in the Bombers’ midfield and former Eagle Alec Waterman put the result beyond doubt for Essendon with the final goal of the match, with brother Jake on the losing side.
RICHMOND 17.9 (111) defeated ADELAIDE 12.11 (83)
An entertaining contest hung in the balance until Jack Riewoldt stuck his hands out and ripped it away from a gallant Adelaide side. The Crows had cut the margin to nine points when Riewoldt charged back with the flight of the ball and took a huge pack mark – much like his cousin famously did for St Kilda in 2004 – and converted his set shot. He added another two goals in time-on (for a total of five) to seal the result. Inexperienced tall Callum Coleman-Jones kicked four goals in a promising display as premiership stars Shai Bolton, Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy did well on return. Taylor Walker (four) and Darcy Fogarty (three) kicked multiple goals for the Crows, who were well served by Tom Doedee, Rory Sloane and Ben Keays.
SYDNEY 16.10 (100) defeated CARLTON 11.12 (78)
Lance Franklin, Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley kicked three goals each in a pulsating contest that wasn’t decided until the Swans produced four goals to one in the final term on their home deck. Franklin shook off a late knee injury scare as opposing spearhead Harry McKay matched his tally with three goals (and five behinds) at the other end to maintain his Coleman Medal lead. Blues co-captain Patrick Cripps registered 27 disposals and three goals in a huge performance but couldn’t drag his side over the line. Carlton led a game of swinging momentum by as much as 18 points during the first quarter when Eddie Betts gathered the ball near the boundary and snapped a great goal.
PORT ADELAIDE 18.7 (115) defeated FREMANTLE 9.15 (69)
The Power effectively put this result to bed early when they piled on 7.5 to 0.7 in the first quarter. Charlie Dixon hit the scoreboard and the home side broke 50 points clear midway through the second term, and while the margin was cut back to 21 points early in the final quarter, the Dockers never seriously threatened to complete the comeback. Dixon, Sam Powell-Pepper and Orazio Fantasia were ever-present threats in attack and Ollie Wines and Robbie Gray starred again for Port. Young guns Adam Cerra and Andrew Brayshaw fought hard for the Dockers as David Mundy and Nat Fyfe battled away, but poor accuracy in front of goal again cruelled the visitors’ chances. The inside-50 count was close and the Dockers had nearly as many scoring shots, but couldn’t piece together a winning score.
